The Australian 5
dollar note was first issued in 1967, one year after the currency was
changed from the Australian pound to the Australian dollar on 14 February 1966.
It was a new denomination, with a new mauve
colouration. There have been four different issues of this denomination:

+ A paper note which had a gradient of mauve, with a distinct black
overprint.

+ The first polymer issue, which can be recognised for its distinct mauve
colouration and numeral font, was first issued in pale mauve (1992). It was
soon discovered that ultra-violet light degraded the ink bond and that a note
in circulation for any moderate period of time could have elements scratched
off with a fingernail, for example.

+ In 1995, a second polymer issue was created, distinguishable by its deeper
shade and different font for the numeral.

+ A federation commemorative 5 dollar note was issued in 2001 for that year only. Notes
featured Sir Henry Parkes on the obverse and Catherine Helen Spence on the
reverse.

Since the
start of issuance there have been sixteen signature combinations, of which the
1967 issue is of the greatest value, issued for two years only; and the 1990
Fraser/Higgens being issued for less than a year. From 1967 to 1974, the main
title identifying the country was "Commonwealth of Australia" and there were
195,504,000 notes issued in its life. This was subsequently changed to
"Australia" until the end of the issuance of paper currency for this
denomination in 1992 with 978,068,318 of these notes being issued.

According to Reserve Bank statistics, at the end of
June 2015 there was a net value of $823 million in Australian 5 dollar notes in circulation, with
a 1% cash value of all issued currency. Actual banknotes in circulation
account for 12% of all denominations, or 116 million notes.

In 2014/15 around 78 counterfeit 5 Australian dollar banknotes, with a nominal value of $390, were detected in circulation.

+ Anti counterfeiting security Features:

The Australian 5 dollar note incorporates the following security
features:

+ The clear window which contains a stylised gum flower printed
in it (and can be seen from either side).

+When the Australian 5 dollar note is held up
to the light, a seven pointed star within a circle is formed by four points on
one side of the banknote combining perfectly with three points on the other.

+When the banknote is held up to the light also, an image of the
Australian Coat of Arms can be seen under other printing.

+The words
'FIVE DOLLARS' are microprinted and can be seen with the aid of a magnifying
glass.

+Slightly raised printing that can be felt with the fingers is
used for the portraits and other major design elements.

+Intricate
multi-coloured fine-line patterns and images appear on each side. + Under
ultra-violet light, the serial number fluoresces and a square patch becomes
visible on the back of the banknote.

The Federation 5 dollar note incorporates the following security features:

+ The clear window contains embossing of the number '5'.
Part of the window has a mauve appearance.

+ Slightly raised printing can be felt by running a
finger or fingernail across the main design elements, such as the portraits,
the denomination numeral and the word Australia.

+ The words of Parkes' Tenterfield speech (front) and
'Advance Australia Fair' (back) are reproduced in microprint and can be read
with the aid of a magnifying glass.

+ When the note is held to the light, a seven
pointed star within a circle is formed by four points on one side of the
banknote combining perfectly with three points on the other side.

+ A hidden '5' below the small printed triangle in the
bottom right hand corner of the back of the note is revealed when that
area of the banknote is viewed through the mauve coloured area of the clear
window. Fold the banknote so that the triangle in the window is on top of, and
in direct contact with, the printed triangle. To accentuate the effect, move
the triangle in the window around the printed triangle.

+ Intricate, multi-coloured, fine-line patterns and
images appear on each side of the banknote.

+ The serial number of each banknote is printed
vertically on the back of the banknote. Under ultraviolet light the serial
number fluoresces.

+ Under ultraviolet light on the back of the banknote, the stars of the
Southern Cross, the sunburst, the yellow orientation bars at the top and
bottom of the banknote, and the wattle flowers fluoresce. Also, a spray of
wattle leaves and the numeral '5', that are normally not visible, become
visible under ultraviolet light.

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